Rhodia River - In the stream of love [Book 1]

Chapter 2 - Good and bad neighbors

GRANJA SQUARE - DAY

Cássio is kicking a soccer ball by himself. He trains to juggle, kicks into the goal, and celebrates alone. Without him noticing, behind him, Sandra, 18, his girlfriend, approaches him. She smiles at Cássio for having fun.

"Good morning, future national champion!"

Cássio turns to her, "Sandra!"

Cássio interrupts the move, approaches her, and the two kiss briefly. Sandra feels his stench.

"The worst part of it all is the olfactory result."

"Ofal—, what?"

Sandra mocks him, "Oh, dear, if you're not going to solve the hygiene issue, at least solve your studies. We aren't going to perpetuate the idea that a soccer player is dumb."

"I'm not a donkey, but what is 'perpetuate'?"

Sandra stiffs a laugh, "It's like, letting that legend that I told you perpetuate. Soccer players should have at least the basic education."

"But, we have the basic education. It turns out that soccer is played with the ball and not with books."

"Yeah, we have completed high school—"

Cássio raises his hands to the skies, "Thanks to Gooood!"

"But, which college do you plan to attend?"

Cássio immediately put his arms down, "Do I have to go to college to be a soccer player?"

"You have to be smart enough TO KNOW you don't have to. That's why I worry about your future, honey. If your dream of being a soccer player doesn't work out, what do you intend to do?"

Cássio is taken aback by the question, but he does not want to give in, "Nooo, dear Sandra! We're not going to throw negativity into my plans. Of course, I'll succeed. Rhodia River will have a famous soccer player to call his own."

"And where will the necessary training come from? Here?"

Sandra and Cássio look around: the general view of the field and the square itself is without a lawn, a rusty beam, without a grandstand, without any attraction for soccer games, just amateur matches like what Cássio is used to.

Cássio understands, "Yes, with this structure it will be impossible. The best players train in the best clubs, with everything pretty equipped. And I barely have sneakers as the script says."

Cássio turns to Sandra, hopeful, "Well, don't worry! Célio said he's going to work at the Residents' Association. He's going to see this for me!"

Sandra reacts incredulously and freezes.

****

THE RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION

Célio is talking to Tito Nunes Aguiar, 50, mustache and chubby, one of the first residents of the district and the current mayor of the neighborhood. Célio receives from Tito several posters on A4 sheets and one pot of glue to stick throughout the neighborhood.

"Look, son, you know that our neighborhood and our Resident' Association are starting to compare themselves with Tangamandápio and Canongas. Therefore, our resources are still limited."

"I got it, Tito."

"So for now, we're going to be satisfied with posters to spread the good news and announcements for our neighbors to find out what's going on."

"I don't want to be rude, mayor, but... The neighborhood is big, will these posters be enough?"

"Stick them on Rhodia Avenue."